| Display parents | 2 |
|---|---|
| Taxon | Cheilotheca |
| Authority | Hook.f. |
Cheilotheca is a small genus of myco-heterotrophic plants in the family Ericaceae. They obtain their nutrients by parasitising fungi in the Russulaceae family.[1] As of 2025, the genus includes four species.[2]
Etymology
The genus was named by Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1876.[3] The name is derived from the Greek word "cheilos", meaning a lip or an edge. The "theca" is a Latin term, meaning covering or sheath. Together they essentially mean "lipped sheath".
Taxonomy
Based on morphological analyses, Cheilotheca has been placed in the Ericaceae subfamily Monotropoideae.[4] The exact placement of Cheilotheca within the Monotropoideae is still unknown, but morphologically the genus most closely resembles Monotropa and Monotropastrum.
List of species
- Cheilotheca crocea L.Wu & Yan Liu
- Cheilotheca khasiana Hook.f.
- Cheilotheca malayana Scort. ex Hook.f.
- Cheilotheca sleumerana H.Keng
Cheilotheca macrocarpa is sometimes included in this genus as well; it is synonymous with Monotropastrum humile.[5][6]
References
- ^ Bidartondo, Martin I. (2005). "The evolutionary ecology of myco-heterotrophy". New Phytologist. 167 (2): 335–352. Bibcode:2005NewPh.167..335B. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2005.01429.x. PMID 15998389
- ^ "Cheilotheca Hook.f. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science"
- ^ Bentham, G., Hooker, J.D. (1876) Genera Plantarum Vol. 2. Reeve & Co., London.
- ^ Kron, K.A., Judd, W.S., Stevens, P.F., Crayn, D.M., Anderberg, A.A., Gadek, P.A., Quinn, C.J., Luteyn, J.L. 2002. Phylogenetic classification of Ericaceae: molecular and morphological evidence. Botanical Review 68: 335-423.
- ^ "Cheilotheca macrocarpa (Andres) Y.L.Chou | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science"
- ^ "Cheilotheca in Flora of Taiwan Checklist @efloras.org". Archived 22 February 2024 at the Wayback Machine.